Sensor equipped resistance training grip

ABSTRACT

An example exercise tracker includes a grip for receiving an adjustable amount of exercise resistance, a force sensor having one or more strain gauges programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to the grip, and a motion sensor programmed to detect movement of the grip and output a motion signal. The exercise tracker further includes a processor programmed to receive the force signal and the motion signal and determine, from the force signal and the motion signal, exercise data including the amount of resistance applied to the grip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/324,985 filed on Apr. 20, 2016, titled “Sensor EquippedResistance Training Apparatus,” the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The advent of wearable monitors, such as pedometers and heart ratemonitors, coupled with the increasing case with which digital data canbe recorded via wireless communication has led to a proliferation oftechnologies that allow users to track their physical fitnessactivities. Fitness trackers that communicate directly with a user'smobile phone or computer through Bluetooth, for example, have becomecommon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example sensor equipped grip that can beused with resistance bands.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sensor equipped grip.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of another example sensor equipped grip.

FIG. 4 provides a cross-section view of the sensor equipped gripconfiguration shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example sensor equipped grip that can be used withcable-based exercise equipment.

FIG. 6 depicts the sensor equipped grip incorporated into aweightlifting bar (e.g., a barbell).

FIGS. 7A and 7B examine subsections of FIG. 6 in greater detail, with aperspective of both the assembled and exploded view of the sensorequipped grip.

FIG. 8 further examines a subsection of FIG. 7 to specificallyillustrate a possible mounting, configuration for the plurality ofstrain gauges that comprise that force sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Despite the increased interest in digitizing and recording users'fitness activity, currently-available products do not accurately capturethe activity performed with free weights or resistance bands common inphysical therapy, home gyms, and private gyms. Thus, a device which canquantify and record these activities would be beneficial. Resistancebands connected to a grip are one example of a lightweight and portableform of resistance training.

Unlike weights, however, exercisers using resistance bands have littleinsight into how much force, or “weight,” they are experiencing. Thebands typically come in color-coded sets with variable “strengths” orresistances but these offer only a vague gauge of workout intensity.Furthermore, unlike with weights, the resistance is not constant, butrather proportional to how far the band is stretched. Consequently, theforce supplied by the band is variable across the range of motion of anexercise. This uncertainty significantly reduces the utility and appealof these tools for regular exercisers and for physical therapists whoseek to document progress this limitation is particularly frustrating.

Exercises where a grip receives exercise resistance from a weight,either via a cable or direct connection, are also currently unable to betracked. While the amount of resistance is often known because of theamount of weight attached to the grip, other information such as thetype of exercise being conducted and the number of repetitions performedmust be manually recorded. Automating this process for both fixedresistance and variable resistance exercises by tracking all aspects ofthe exercise would remove friction for the user and facilitate betteraccountability, motivation, and coaching.

Accordingly, despite the advanced sensors available to those who tracktheir walking, running, and cycling exercise histories, known fitnesstrackers are riot capable of capturing data from resistance trainingregimens commonly performed in homes and private gyms. Thus, a devicewhich can seamlessly track this data to provide better training insightswould be beneficial.

An exercise tracker that addresses this problem is described herein. Thesensor equipped grip includes force and motion sensors programmed tooutput a force signal representing the resistance applied to the grip.The exercise tracker further includes a processor programmed to receivethe force signal and determine, from the force signal, exercise dataincluding the adjustable amount of resistance selected by the user. Abattery integrated into the exercise tracker powers the processor inaddition to the wireless communication device programmed to transmit theexercise data.

FIG. 1A shows one basic form of the sensor equipped grip whereby anouter grip 102 is intended to be clasped by a human hand duringexercise. FIG. 1B illustrates how this basic form could be connected toa stretchable resistance band 106 as the form of exercise resistance viastructural members 104. The structural members 104 shown are rigid.Thus, the structural members 104 could be formed from a material such asplastic, metal, foam, etc. Alternatively, the structural members 104could be implemented via a strap or straps. The structural members 104are also shown to connect on just one side of the grip but could beconnected on both sides or consist of a single piece rather thanmultiple pieces.

FIG. 2 shows a similar implementation of the grip in an exploded view toreveal some additional components. The main structural members 104 joina resistance band 106 with one end of a force sensor 114, or load cell.The other end of the force sensor 114 is fixed via a fastener and acurved spacer 108 to a tube 120 which is therefore fixed relative to themain structural members 104. The force sensor 114 is comprised of apiece of structural material such as steel or aluminum with one or morestrain gauges laminated onto the structural material in such a fashionthat slight deflections of the material caused from loading result in achange in electrical resistance of the strain gauges. This change inelectrical resistance can be measured and amplified via a Wheatstonebridge or similar electrical circuit and input into an onboardmicroprocessor 116 as an electrical force signal and translated into aforce value using a linear fit and calibration data. The force signaloutput by the force sensor 114 may be proportional to the amount ofexercise weight resistance selected by the user. A battery 122 providespower for the sensors, microprocessor 116, and the integrated wirelesscommunication device used to transfer the data to a location where itcan be further processed.

The user of the exercise tracker illustrated in FIG. 2 might choose toselect different resistance bands 106 to target the desired amount oftraining resistance for specific exorcise types or muscle groups. Thegeometry 118 extending from the structural member 104 is designed toreceive an interchangeable set of stretchable resistance bands toaccommodate this use case. The microprocessor 116 could provide enhancedtracking capabilities if some properties about the resistance band 106,such as a resistance value of the resistance band 106, were known. Forexample, the resistance value may be a coefficient of elasticity or thelength of the resistance band 106, and knowledge of the coefficient ofelasticity or the length of the band 106 could increase the accuracy ofthe results that are tracked. Therefore, a resistance band sensor 119could be incorporated into the geometry 118 such that the type orstiffness of cable is automatically detected without any additionalinput from the user. An optic sensor could identify the color of thecable or the thickness, for example, or magnetic Hall effect-sensorscould be used. Physical protrusions on the portion of the resistanceband 106 that mate with the geometry 118 could also be used to physicaldepress sensors in a manner that is unique to each of type of band usedwith the exercise tracker. Near field communication (NFC) or radiofrequency identification (RFID) could also transmit unique identifiersto the microprocessor 116.

The design shown in the FIGS. 1-5 features a standard force sensor 114that is bolted onto or otherwise fixed to the tube 120 and to the mainstructural member 104, but another approach could feature strain gaugeslaminated directly onto one or more of the main structural members 104,effectively using it as the structural component of the load cell 114.Any location where a force from the resistance bands translates into aphysical deflection could be suitable for mounting the strain gauges.

FIG. 3 shows a variation on the design shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 whereby aset of bearings 110 separate the fixed tube 120 from the outer grip 102which can freely rotate if necessary to accommodate exercises where thehand rotates relative to the source of resistance. A grip cap 124 isfixed onto one end of the outer grip 102 to provide a physical boundaryon the opposite side of the grip as the main structural member 104.Because this grip cap 124 is fixed onto the outer grip 102, it will alsorotate freely relative to the tube 120. The ability of the outer grip102 and grip cap 124 to rotate independently of the tube 120, however,is not critical.

The structural member 104 features a cavity 112 to house themicrocontroller 116 and possibly batteries. Placing the electronics inthis location makes wireless communication easier, although the volumewithin the tube 120 is another option for housing the batteries andelectronics. A digital display 129 on the exterior of the mainstructural member 104 could provide another way to communicate detailsabout the exercise (such as weight resistance) to the exerciser. Avibration motor or haptic device could also be used to communicate withthe user. For example, a vibration signal sent through the grip could beused to communicate to the user that his/her target number ofrepetitions has been achieved. This approach would work well in noisygym environments, although audio signals transmitted with an integratedspeaker 131 could also be used where there is less ambient noise. Thatis, the microprocessor 116 may be programmed to output an alert via thespeaker 131.

FIG. 4 shows the same sensor equipped grip shown in FIG. 3 but as across section to show in greater detail how the load cell 114 isasymmetrically loaded by mounting one side to the tube 120 and the otherside to the main structural member 104. This view also provides a betterillustration of how the grip cap 124 mounted to the outer grip 102 willrotate a rotary encoder 123 located within the tube.

The rotary encoder 123, which may be programmed to detect rotation ofthe grip and output a signal representing the rotation of the grip to,e.g., the microprocessor 116, may provide additional details about themotion of the exercise routine and contribute data to a library ofalgorithms that can identify which exercise is being performed by theuser without requiring manual input. For example, a chest press willresult in little rotation of the rotary encoder 123 while bicep curlswill rotate the rotary encoder approximately ½ of a revolution (180degrees) during the first repetition then approximately ¼ to ½ of arotation (90 degrees to 180 degrees, respectively) back and forth foreach additional repetition. The rotary encoder 123 may spin freelywithout any stopping points, meaning it can read relative positions asopposed to absolute positions.

Additional sensors such as a motion sensor 125 could be directlyincorporated into the printed circuit board (PCB) along with themicroprocessor 116 mounted within the circuit cavity 112. As mentionedbefore, however, the PCB could also be mounted inside the tube 102. Ingeneral, the volume within the tube 102 and a circuit cavity 112 withinthe main structural member 104 provide space to fit the batteries, loadsensor 114, PCB, and any additional auxiliary sensors. The additionalmotion sensors supplement the load cell and rotary encoder 123 data toextract details about the exercise routine to not only document how muchresistance was used but also automatically identify which exercises wereperformed and any advanced insights about the user's form. Motionsensors allow detection of orientation and movement within severaldegrees of freedom. For example, a motion sensor could measure theabsolute orientation, angular velocity vector, acceleration vector,magnetic field strength vector, linear acceleration vector, and gravityvector. In addition to the examples just given the motion sensor couldinclude an accelerometer or a position sensor such as a lidar, infrared,or ultrasonic sensor.

The combination of the force sensor and motion sensor data, which themicroprocessor 116 is programmed to determine from the force signaloutput by the force sensor 114 and the motion signal output by themotion sensor 125, respectively, allows for calculation of many exercisemetrics (referred to as “exercise data”) that allow the exerciser tomonitor the progress of his/her physical fitness. For example, theuser's strength, power output, work output, calorie expenditure,repetition count, and weight resistance settings can all be tracked andcompared to historical performance. That is, the microprocessor 116 maybe programmed to calculate strength, power output, work output, calorieexpenditure, and weight resistance setting from the force signal outputby the force sensor 114, the motion signal output by the motion sensor125, or both. The metrics also allow for engagement with an interactivecommunity whose members could be in close proximity or geographicallydispersed. For example, the metrics could be displayed on a leaderboardwith real time comparisons of the group of participants, or theparticipants could be exercising in a home gym environment with asimilar leaderboard comparing and monitoring everyone's progress. Theworkouts that are part of this described experience could beself-guided, loaded on an “on-demand” basis, or streamed live onto theuser's television, mobile device, or wearable fitness tracker.

The wireless communication device 127 may include any electroniccomponent, including an antenna, circuits, chips, or other electroniccomponents, configured or programmed to facilitate wirelesscommunication. For instance, the wireless communication device 127 maybe programmed to transmit the data collected by the force sensor 114,motion sensor, or both via a telecommunication protocol such asBluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy®, etc., to a remote device 190 (seeFIG. 1) such as a mobile phone, smartwatch, or wearable activitytracker, or to a remote server 195 (see FIG. 1), such as a cloud-basedserver or a server associated with a particular facility (e.g., a gym).The term “server” refers to a computer having a processor and memory.The term “remote” when used in the context of the remote device 190 andremote server 195 may refer to the spatial relationship of the remotedevice 190, the remote server 195, or both, relative to the exercisetracker. Therefore, although referred to as “remote,” the remote device190 and remote server 195 may be physically near the exercise tracker(i.e., the remote server 195 may be in communication with the exercisetracker, the remote device 190, or both, via a local networkconnection). Alternatively, the remote device 190 or remote server 195,or both, may be physically “remote” but still in signal communicationwith the exercise tracker (e.g., the remote server 195 may becloud-based). Accordingly, in some implementations, the data may betransmitted from the exercise tracker to the remote device 190 or theremote server 195 (see FIG. 1) via a Wi-Fi network connection. Thewireless communication device 127 may be programmed to periodicallytransmit the collected data to the remote device 190 or remote server195, or transmit the data as it is collected. Alternatively, thewireless communication device 127 may be programmed to transmit the datato the remote device 190 or the remote server 195 at specific times,such as when all repetitions have been performed or when a workout iscomplete. The wireless communication device 127 may determine that allrepetitions have been performed based on the force sensor 114 signal orthat the workout is complete in response to a user input provided to theexercise tracker or remote device 190.

The main structural member 104 need not terminate in the geometry 118shown in FIGS. 1-3. The geometry could feature multiple slots toaccommodate multiple resistance bands that can be used in parallel tosum their resistance for more challenging workouts. Alternatively, itcould feature a geometry allowing attachment of a stretchable sheetresistance band rather than a tubular resistance band 106. An elasticsheet could be pinched into position, knotted, or otherwise fixed ontothe main structural member 104.

FIG. 5 shows another possible geometry for the main structural member104. In this scenario, the geometry terminates in a simple through-hole126 or grommet that can be connected with a basic linkage such as acarabiner 128 to a non-elastic cable 130 or other piece of exerciseequipment. The sensor equipped grip could connect to a cable 130 that isanchored on its opposite end or linked to a weight. The cable 130 mightalso be integrated into a weight-stack. machine. These machines come ina variety of designs to target a variety of different muscle groups buttypically feature at least one stack of weights. The desired fraction ofthe weights is chosen by placing a pin at the appropriate height in thestack, or by switching a lever to engage the desired number of weights.These weight stack machines could feature a single stack of weights ormultiple stacks which could benefit from using two or more sensorequipped grips simultaneously. The cable 130 described herein could be ametal cable sometimes called a ware rope, or could be a rope made frommaterials other than metal.

The exercise tracker could also utilize the user's own body weight as aform of exercise resistance. For example, the structural members 104extending from the force sensor 114 could contact the ground to allowtrackable push-ups. Alternatively, the structural members 104 could beshaped such that the user could hang from a pull up bar to allowtrackable pull-ups or other types of exercises. The sensor equipped gripcould also be connected to a second sensor equipped grip in a modularfashion for an even greater variety of trackable functional workoutexercises.

FIG. 6 presents an overview of the sensor equipped grip integrated intoa longer bar, such as a barbell, intended for operation with both handsand free weights, such as variable weights loaded onto the bar. Thefigure shows one example of such a machine, although they come in a widevariety of forms depending on the manufacturer of the machine and thespecific muscle group the exercise seeks to target. The example shown isfor a bench press exercise in which a bar 134 that is gripped by handsduring the exercise Is set atop a frame 140 which in this case alsoincludes a padded bench 142 for the user to lay atop during the routine.Before exercising the user mounts variable weights 136 onto a sleeve 138connected to the bar 134 to achieve the target resistance, thenpositions himself/herself atop the bench 142. Once in position theexerciser lifts the bar 134, moves the weight for a number ofrepetitions, then returns the bar 134 to the machine's frame 140. Thecircled region 132 represents a region examined in more detail in thefollowing figure with the weight removed for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 7 shows in more detail the circled region 132 from FIG. 6. The bar134 is cut away for clarity. FIG. 7a shows the sensor equipped grip inassembled form, while FIG. 7b shows an exploded view to reveal theprincipal mechanism used to detect the amount of weight resistanceloaded onto the sleeve 138. The sensor equipped grip shown in FIGS. 7aand 7b includes a force sensor comprised of a plurality of strain gauges144 laminated around the circumference of the bar 134. These straingauges 144 are positioned between the sleeve 138 where weights areloaded and the interior portion of the bar 134 where hands will gripduring the exercise routine. In such a position the strain gauges 144will be able to measure deflections in the bar 134 and therefore howmuch weight 136 has been loaded onto the sleeve 138. As the weights 136are accelerated upward and downward during the exercise, the straingauges 144 will measure fluctuating forces but the average value willindicate how much weight has been loaded on that half of the bar. Thisforce sensor mechanism featuring a plurality of strain gauges 144 aroundthe circumference of the bar could be located on both sides of the bar134 (i.e. adjacent to both of the sleeves 138) but this is not mandatorybecause bars are generally loaded in a balanced fashion with the sameamount of weights 136 on each respective sleeve 138. Lifting the barwith weights 136 loaded onto the sleeve 138 will cause the bar 134 toflex and therefore a change in electrical resistance in the straingauges 144.

The amount of flex experienced by the bar 134, and therefore the amountof weight 136 loaded onto the sleeve 138, is proportional to the amountof electrical resistance change in the strain gauges 144. This value canbe observed by configuring the strain gauges 144 in a Wheatstone bridgeor similar circuit then amplified to a voltage which can be observed bythe microprocessor 116. On board batteries 148 power the microprocessor116 which could also include a motion sensor, as discussed earlier, todetect additional details about the workout routine. For example, theseadditional sensors could detect the range of motion of the exercise,whether the bar is being bounced off of a body part or moved freely, orwhether the bar is kept level to the ground throughout the repetitions.The PCB which includes the microprocessor 116 also includes a wirelesscommunication device 127 such as Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Smart (orBluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi, or any other wireless communicationprotocol. In this example, the microprocessor 116 and batteries 148 areenclosed in a housing 150 with an ingress for the strain gauge wires.

A plurality of strain gauges 144 may be used so that the bar can rotatein any position and still detect how much force is being applied to thebar. By placing the strain gauges opposite one another the pair ofstrain gauges can be used in parallel in the Wheatstone bridge circuitto increase the sensitivity and preserve a balanced circuit. The circuitcan be balanced in such a way that deflections in any direction aretherefore measurable. Alternatively, the strain gauges 144 can bebalanced with a simple resistor or a strain gauge oriented such that itsresistance does not change when the bar is flexed by the weights,therefore isolating individual strain gauge resistance changes. Thecircled region 152 shows the area examined in more detail in FIG. 8.

Each of the individual strain gauges 144 shown in FIG. 8 could be anindividual strain gauge, a pair of strain gauges (often integrated on asingle foil) oriented at 90 degrees from one another such that one isactive and the other balances the Wheatstone bridge circuit, or twoparallel strain gauges that are both active but only one will yield apositive voltage output at any given time depending on the orientationof the bar.

In general, the computing systems and/or devices described may employany of a number of computer operating systems, including, but by nomeans limited to, versions and/or varieties of the Microsoft Windows®operating system, the Unix operating system (e.g., the Solaris®operating system distributed by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores,Calif.), the AIX UNIX operating system distributed by InternationalBusiness Machines of Armonk, N.Y., the Linux operating system, the MacOSX, macOS, and iOS operating systems distributed by Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., the BlackBerry OS distributed by Blackberry, Ltd. ofWaterloo, Canada, and the Android operating system developed by Google,Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance. Examples of computing devicesinclude, without limitation, a computer workstation, a server, adesktop, notebook, laptop, or handheld computer, or some other computingsystem and/or device.

Computing devices generally include computer-executable instructions,where the instructions may be executable by one or more computingdevices such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions maybe compiled or interpreted from computer programs created using avariety of programming languages and/or technologies, including, withoutlimitation, and cither alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, VisualBasic, Java Script, Perl, etc. Some of these applications may becompiled and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java VirtualMachine, the Dalvik virtual machine, or the like. In general, aprocessor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from amemory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes theseinstructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one ormore of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other datamay be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readablemedia.

A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readablemedium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read bya computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such a medium may takemany forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media andvolatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include,for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typicallyconstitutes a main memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by oneor more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire andfiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled toa processor of a computer. Common forms of computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Databases, data repositories or other data stores described herein mayinclude various kinds of mechanisms for storing, accessing, andretrieving various kinds of data, including a hierarchical database, aset of files in a file system, an application database in a proprietaryformat, a relational database management system (RDBMS), etc. Each suchdata store is generally included within a computing device employing acomputer operating system such as one of those mentioned above, and areaccessed via a network in any one or more of a variety of manners. Afile system may be accessible from a computer operating system, and mayinclude files stored in various formats. An RDBMS generally employs theStructured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating,storing, editing, and executing stored procedures, such as the PL/SQLlanguage mentioned above.

In some examples, system elements may be implemented ascomputer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computingdevices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.). stored on computerreadable media associated therewith (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). Acomputer program product may comprise such instructions stored oncomputer readable media for carrying out the functions described herein.

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc.described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps ofsuch processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to acertain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with thedescribed steps performed in an order other than the order describedherein. If further should be understood that certain steps could beperformed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or thatcertain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, thedescriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose ofillustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed soas to limit the claims.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description isintended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments andapplications other than the examples provided would be apparent uponreading the above description. The scope should be determined, not withreference to the above description, but should instead be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated andintended that future developments will occur in the technologiesdiscussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will beincorporated into such future embodiments. In sum it should beunderstood that the application is capable of modification andvariation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinarymeanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologiesdescribed herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is madeherein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,”“said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicatedelements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.

1. An exercise tracker comprising: a grip for receiving an adjustableamount of exercise resistance; a force sensor having one or more straingauges programmed to output a force signal representing a force appliedto the grip; a motion sensor programmed to detect movement of the gripand output a motion signal: and a processor programmed to receive theforce signal and the motion signal and determine, from the force signaland the motion signal, exercise data including the amount of resistanceapplied to the grip.
 2. The exercise tracker of claim 1, wherein themotion sensor is an accelerometer.
 3. The exercise tracker of claim 1,further comprising a structural member configured to receive aresistance band.
 4. The exercise tracker of claim 3, further comprisinga resistance band sensor programmed to detect a resistance value of theresistance band
 5. The exercise tracker of claim 1, further comprising astructural member configured to connect the grip to a non-elastic cable.6. The exercise tracker of claim 1, further comprising a memory whereinthe processor is programmed to store the exercise data in the memory. 7.The exercise tracker of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed tocommand a wireless communication device to transmit the exercise data toa remote device.
 8. The exercise tracker of claim 1, further comprisinga rotary encoder programmed to detect rotation of the grip and outputsignals to the processor, wherein the processor is programmed todetermine the exercise data based at least in part on the signals outputby the rotary encoder.
 9. The exercise tracker of claim 1, furthercomprising a digital display programmed to display the exercise data.10. The exercise tracker of claim 1, further comprising a haptic devicelocated in the grip, and wherein the processor is programmed to causethe haptic device to vibrate.
 11. The exercise tracker of claim 1,further comprising speakers, wherein the processor is programmed tooutput an alert signal to the speakers.
 12. The exercise tracker ofclaim 1, further comprising a wireless communication device programmedto wirelessly transmit the exercise data to a remote device.
 13. Theexercise tracker of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed tocalculate a calorie expenditure from at least one of the force signaland the motion signal.
 14. An exercise tracker comprising: a grip forreceiving an adjustable amount of exercise resistance; at least onesleeve for receiving a user-defined amount weight serving as a source ofthe exercise resistance; a force sensor between at least one of thesleeves and the grip and having of one or more strain gauges programmedto output a force signal representing the resistance applied to thegrip; and a processor programmed to receive the force signal anddetermine, from the force signal, exercise data including the amount ofresistance applied to the grip.
 15. The exercise tracker of claim 14,further comprising an accelerometer programmed to detect movement of theexercise tracker and output signals to the processor, wherein theprocessor is programmed to determine the exercise data based at least inpart on the signals output by the accelerometer.
 16. The exercisetracker of claim 14, further comprising a memory wherein the processoris programmed to store the exercise data in the memory.
 17. The exercisetracker of claim 14, wherein the processor is programmed to command awireless communication device to transmit the exercise data to a remotedevice.
 18. An exercise tracker comprising: a grip for receiving anadjustable amount of exercise resistance; a force sensor having one ormore strain gauges programmed to output a force signal representing aforce applied to the grip; a motion sensor programmed to detect movementof the grip and output a motion signal representing the movement of thegrip: a processor programmed to receive the force signal and motionsignal and determine, from the force signal and the motion signal,exercise data including the amount of resistance applied to the grip; abattery electrically connected to at least one of the load sensor,motion sensor, and the processor; a wireless communication deviceprogrammed to wirelessly transmit the exercise data; and a displayprogrammed to display exercise metrics.
 19. The exercise tracker ofclaim 18, wherein the display is programmed to display exercise metricsfrom multiple users in close physical proximity to one another.
 20. Theexercise tracker of claim 18, wherein the display is programmed todisplay exercise metrics from multiple users who are geographicallydispersed.